Deodorant vs. Antiperspirant
And why at Shimmer, we only carry deodorant
One of the most common things I hear in the shop when someone’s shopping for deodorant is:
“But does this really work?”
The short answer? Yes—for many people. But the longer (and more honest) answer is: it depends on your body chemistry.
At Shimmer, we carry aluminum-free deodorants like Hume—one of our newest arrivals—because we believe in clean ingredients and helping the body do what it’s naturally supposed to do. But here’s where the confusion often comes in:
Sometimes people try a clean deodorant and come back saying, “It didn’t work.” When I ask a little more, they almost always say, “I was still sweating.”
That’s when I gently explain: You’re supposed to sweat. That’s the job of your sweat glands, not your deodorant.
What’s the difference?
Deodorant helps control odor. It uses ingredients like natural enzymes, essential oils, or baking soda to fight off the bacteria that cause body odor.
Antiperspirant, on the other hand, contains aluminum, which temporarily blocks your sweat glands to stop you from sweating. Sweating is a good thing! It helps regulate your temperature and release toxins. Clean deodorants won’t stop that process—they’ll just help you stay fresh while it happens.
Here at Shimmer, we only sell deodorants, not antiperspirants. And yes, that means you’re still going to sweat—just without the funk.
So how do I know if it’s working?
Every body is different. I’ve tried deodorants that work amazingly for me, and others that just don’t cut it. And what doesn’t work for me might be your new favorite.
Your body chemistry, diet, stress levels, even the weather can affect how a deodorant performs.
We usually tell customers to give it about 3 weeks. That’s how long your body typically needs to adjust, especially if you’re switching from a conventional antiperspirant. During that time, you might even feel like you’re sweating more—that’s totally normal. Think of it as a mini detox.
Why we love Hume
Hume is aluminum-free, baking soda-free (great if you have sensitive skin), and includes ingredients like probiotics and desert botanicals that actually support your skin’s microbiome. It's also designed to be long-lasting, skin-friendly, and odor-neutralizing without harsh chemicals. If you’ve been wanting to make the switch to a clean deodorant, Hume is a great place to start.
And as always, if you’re not sure where to begin, come by the shop—we’re always happy to help you figure out what might work for your unique body.
